Drying machine



T. ALLSOP ET AL DRY iNG MACHINE July 16, 1929.

Filed May 13, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q MN mUNLN W WITNESSES: m

INVENTOR Thomas fll lsop i. Harr iI Viggleswofih, ATTORNEY.

'T. ALLSOP ET AL DRYING MACHINE July 16, 1929.

Filed May 13, 1924 4 Sheelts-Sheel;v 2

July 16; 19 29. T. ALLSOP ET AL 1,721,061

DRYING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 W1 TNESQQX Th0 TOR mas so CG; 2 Harry Ii woriiz,

- TTORNEY- J 1929; I 1". ALLSOP ET AL 1,721,061

DRY NG MACHINE I Filed. May 13, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "FIG. AZ F '17:

i 1 v I r I v inn WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

TTORNEYS.

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fig BY Patented July 16, 1929.

hll'lfiil STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ALLSOP AND HARRY I-I. WIGGLESWORTH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE PHILADELPHIA DRYING- MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DRYING MACHINE.

Application filed May 13, 1924. Serial No. 712,976.

This invention relates to drying machines and is more especially directed to machines of the character adapted to progress rows of aligned form carriers through a drying enclosure by means of spaced co-operative and intermittently actuated endless conveyors.

An object of our invention is to provide a novel form of drying machine of the typified character embodying distinctive features whereby a maximum capacity is attained, with a corresponding increase in elliciency of o )eration.

Other objects and attendantadvantages inhering to this invention are associated with r structural features hereinafter referred to;

and, accordingly, the same may be tersely defined as consisting in the features of construction combinations and arrangements of parts fully set forth, illustrated by the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings, and succinctly defined by the appended claims. However, it is to be specifically understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise aggroupment of parts herein shown and descriptively detailed, except in so far as the same are limited by reasonable interpretation accorded the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

lfiig. I, is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a hosiery drying machine conventionally embodying this invention Figz'll, is a vertical section of the same, taken substantially on the plane indicated by the arrows Iii-11 in the preceding figure.

F H1, is a view in elevation, at the feedingdn end of the machine, with a fragmentary portion of the upper enclosing shell broken away to better disclose certain underlying parts.

Fig. IV, is a fragmentary detail elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of the form carrying instrmnentalities with the associated guiding and conveying means.

Fig. V, is a side view looking toward the left hand of the preceding figure, with parts of the guiding means broken away and in section.

Fig. V1, is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. VII, is a detailed view of a stop mechanism whereby successive form carrying bars are held temporarily stationary at the feeding-in end of the machine; and,

Fig. V111, is a sectional view taken sub stantially as indicated by the line VIII VIII in the preceding figure.

The machine herein illustrated and to which our invention has been, for convenience, specifically applied, comprises a framework of standard section verticals 9, 9, braced by similar section transverse members 10, 10, closed-in by thermo-insulated plates 11, 11 to afford upper and lower compartments 12, 13, through which rows of aligned forms 1 1 are intermittently progressed by endless chain conveyors 15; and a passage 16 through which a vertically rotatable fan 17 circulates the dryingmedium, as indicated by the arrows shown on Fig. III. The aforesaid compartments 12, 18, and air passage 16, are convenientlythough not essentiallyrectangular in transverse and the former is subdivided by spaced vertical partitions 18 with a transverse diaphragm 19 for purposes later on fully cX- plained. It is also to be observed that the lower compartment 13 extends laterally to the front and rear of the machine to provide boarding and stripping' stations B, S, respectively, whereat operatives are located to apply the wet'articles to be dried by progression through the machine, and to remove the same when dried. Furthermore the front and rear walls 20, 21 of the upper compartment 12, are provided with ingress and egress openings, 22, 23, respectively, of appropriate configuration to admit free passage for the successive rows of clothed forms 14, as will be readily understood by those conversant with the art to which our inven tion appertains.

Laterally across the upper portion of the compartment 12, are a plurality of radiator pipes 21-dividing saidupper portion into parallel Zones a, b, and 0-through which the heating medium is circulated in accordance with well known practice. It is also noteworthy that the drying compartment 12 is transversely divided by partitions (Z affording slotsc for the free passage of the forms 1 1; said partitions also serving to es section,

tablish a proper circulation of the drying medium, as indicated by the arrows on Fig. 111.

The endless chain conveyors are threaded. through the compartments 12, 13, over and under sprocket wheels 25, 26, respectively; as well as around relatively larger front and rear sprocket wheels 27, 28, as best shown in Fig. II. The means effective to progress the chain conveyors 15 comprises a change gear including a toothed wheel 29 associated, or integral, with one of the sprocket wheels meshing a. gear 30 on a horizontal shaft 31 journaled in bearings 32, secured to the machine front wall 20. Conveniently splined on the outboard end of the horizontal shaft 31 is a pinion 33 meshing with a gear 31-, secured at one end of a second horizontal shaft 85 journaled in bearings 36 at the front of the compartment 12. This horizontal shaft in turn is rotated through the medium of an intermittent bevel couple 37, by a vertical shaft 38 journaled. in bearings 53 and said shaft 38 is revolved. by a worm drive 4-0, and belt transmission 4-1. from a c(u1ntershaftnot shmvnconnectcd with any convenient source of power. Rotation of the fan 17 is also effected by a belt drive 42 from the aforementioned c mntershaft, as will be readily understood by anyone acquainted with the art. It is well to note that the aforesaid sprocket wheels 25 are attached on transverse shafts 43 journaled in bearings l-l at the sides of the compartment 12; whereas the sprocket wheels 20, 27, and 28 are supported by stub-shafts 45 in appropriate bearin s 4th to afford free passage for the forms 14: through the machine, as later on fully explained.

With reference to the means for supporting and progressing successive rows of aligned forms 114., attention is directed to Figs. lIV-VI more particularly, and from which it will be readily understood that each said row comprises a rail or bar *Itl, conveniently-though not essentiallyof T section material to the transverse portion whereof the form clamping shoes 48, are removably attached, in spaced relation, as by bolts 49. At each end of the rail or bar -il7, we securely attach, by bolts 50, a suspension bracket 51, aiiiorded pivotal connection to the adjacent conveyor chain 15 by means of an attachment link 52 interposed therein in the well known way. These suspension brackets 51 are each fitted with alateral stud 53, on which freely rotates an anti-friction roller 54., adapted to traverse the guide way or track 55, appropriately constituted by opposed parallel angle sections 56, mounted within and upon the side walls of the compartments 12, 13. These guideways or opposed tracks 55 are mainly of sinusoidal configuration best shown in Fig' II; that is to say, they conform generally to the course of the endless conveyors 15, except as hereafter specifically explained. Furthermore i will be remarked that the guideways or tracks 55, also function to hold the successive rows of aligned forms 1% in perpendicular position during progression through the upper or drying compartment 12.

As a means to eliminate as far as possible, any instability or vibration while the boards or forms 1st, are being clothedat the station 13, we make use of the device shownv in detail by Figs. V-ll and V111, the same being conveniently mounted medially of the front tran: :verse member or bar 10. This device comprises a pair of end fingers 57, 57 and an intermediate linger 5S, keyed or otherwise securely attached on a transverse rod or shaft 5f)-e:-;tender.l across the front of the lower compartment 13-and free to turn in suitable bearings 0 secured to the vertical flange of the angle section bar 10 by stud bolts (31. it is to be particularly observed from Fig. Vii, that the fingers 57, 57 constitute what may be cinnfimiiently termed. tappcts while the linger 58 functions as a supporting claw in radial divergence thereto; or, in other words. the center finger 58 is attached to the rod or shaft, 59 in relative disposition with respect to the lingers 57, 57 so that when said lingers are raised the linger 5S automatically follows and engages below the lateral flange of the .rail or bar 1-7 and supports the same during the dwell-or stationaryperiod allowed for rcclothing the forms 1st.

An exhaust outlet or outlets 62, is, or are, provided in connection with the passage 16 to carry away the proper quantity of moisture-laden air; while an appropriate damper c ntrol. will-ol viouslybc associated therein so as to control. the exhaust as desired.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the essential characteristics of this invention will be fully appreciated, while the operation thereof may be. briefly summarized as follows:

Assuming the machine is as shownintended for service as a hosiery drier, and that a boarding operative is stationed at and another at 53" to strip the dried articles from the forms 11-, and. that motion is transmitted to worm drive 40, from any convenient source by the belt 4-1. As a result of such startiugaip of the machine the vertical shaft 38 will be continuously rotated, and by means of the bevel couple 37 impart intermittent rotary motion to the horizontal shaft 35. In turn the shaft 35, through the gears ill, 33, 30 and 29 will intermittently rotate the front transverse shaft 4-?) with consequential progression of the conveyor chains 15. Now it will be easily understood that, if the shaft 43 is driven in a clockwise direction th conveyor chains 15 will travel in the direction indicated by the arrows on Fig. II. For the sake of brevity, let it be assumed that a rail or bar 47 and supported forms 14 is temporarily stopped at the boarding station B, and supported thereat by the claw finger 58, it will be apparentthat said forms 14 can be clothed with wet hose by the operative. or operatives stationed thereat, it being also obvious that the stop period of time will be previously regulatedby the mechanisms hereinbeiore describeditor the convenient and proper clothing of the complete row of forms 14. The following progressive movement or the conveyor chains 15, 15 will carry the rail or bar 17 of clothed torms along the guideways or tracks 55, through the ingress opening 22, into the first Zone a of the drying compartment 12, replacing them at the station B with a tresh row of bare forms 1 1 for clothing. The conveyor chains 15, 15 will, by subsequent intermittent movements, gradually progress-the clothed forms 14, by stages over an undulate course through the consecutive zones a-,'Z) and 0, of the drying chamber until a rail or bar 17 of dried hose arrives in. position at the egress-opening 23, as will be readily appreciated by inspection of the right hand part of Fig. II. This intermittent progression of the forms lat through the drying compartment 12 will occupy sutiicien t time, so that when the forms 11 arrive at the egress opening 23, the hosiery thereon will be thoroughly dry. With the next progressive movement of the conveyor chains 15, 15, the row of dried hose will be moved to the station S whereat another operative or operatives will strip" said dried hose from the forms 14. Attention is directed, at this juncture, to the peculiar contour of the guideways or tracks at the station S, the inner angle section 56 being interrupted at 68-Fig. II, with the outer section 56 shaped as shown to afford an indent 6 1, :li'unctional as a pivotal point for the rollers 54, whereby the forms 14 are automatically inclined in one direction, relative to the vertical, or gravitate towards the operative stationed at S to aid stripping. Upon the subsequent intermittent movement, the forms 14 will, be rocked to a reverse inclination as indicated at :1; within, and-for progressiouthrough, the compartment 13 as will be easily understood by following the travel of the conveyor chains 15 about the sprocket wheels 28 and the course of the rollers 54: over the indented tracks at 55. It is thought that the sequence of associated progressive movements effected by consecutive motions ot. the machine, will be clearly understood from the preceding description and an examination of the drawings, therefore a more detailed statement is deemed unn e cessary, and, accordingly, is omitted; while it will be understod that the tracks 55 are interrupted where necessary for the ingress and egress of the attachment links 52, to accommodate the illustrated flight of the conveyor chains 15 relative to the travel of the rollers 51 over said tracks.

From the foregoing description and drawings it is believed that the advantages inhering to our invention will. be obvious; and although we have detailed one practical embodiment fully, it is not to be restrictively considered, as changes in the constructive aggroupment and combinations of the respective parts will readily suggest themselves to accommodate dilierent service requirements, for instance the radiator pipes 24: may be located in the lower portion of the drying compartment 12. l urthermore any other appropriate retaining means than the fingers 57, 58 may be adopted, so long as it is of a character to automatically support the forms 1% temporarily stationary at the clothing station E. The right is, accordingly, hereby reserved to makeall such reasonable changes and variations as lie within the scope of" the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A. drying machine embodying drying zone, intern'iittently progressed conveyors in the machine, a series of hearers transported by the conveyors, each said bearer supporting a row of attached carriers with removable iorms, and means functional to guide the successive rows of forms through the drying Zone of the machine over a sinusoidal course in parallel relation and when exterior thereto relatively inclined.

A drying machine embodying a drying zone, intermittently progressed conveyors in the machine, a series of bearers transported by the conveyors, each said bearer supporting a row of attached carriers with removable iorms, and means functional to guide the successive rows of forms through the drying zone over an undulating course in vertical position and when exterior thereto in relatively inclined position,

3. A drying machine embodying a drying zone, intermittently progressed conveyors in the machine, a series of bearers transported by the conveyors, each said bearer supporting a row of attached carriers with removable forms, and tracks with which the bearers co-opera'te to guide successive rows of 'forms from clothing position into and through the drying zone over a sinusoidal course in vertical position, said tracks having indentations and being configured to eti'ect forward inclination of said forms for removal of the dried articles and reverse inclination thereof during retrogression to the feeding end of the machine.

4. A drying machine embodying a drying zone, intermittently progressed conveyors in the machine, a series of bearer bars transported by the conveyors, each said bearer bar sustaining a row of attached carriers with removable forms, and undulate tracks with which said bars (to-operate to guide successive rows of forms from clothing position into and through the drying zone over a sinusoidal course in vertical position, said tracks having indentations serving to effect automatic forward inclination of the forms for removal of dried articles, and .irregular ly-configured parts adapted to return the same to reclothing position in reversely inclined relation.

5. A drying machine embodying a drying enclosure, intern'littently progressed conveyors in the machine, a series of T-section bars transported by the conveyors, each said bar sustaining av row of attached carriers with removable forms, and opposed anglescction tracks configured to successively effect lateral progression of consecutive rows of form carriers from. clothing position, into and through the drying enclosure over an undulate course in vertical position, said tracks also embodying means to effect for ward inclination of the forms at stripping location and retrogression back to reclothing position at a reversed inclination.

6. A drying machine including a drying enclosure, intermittently progressed conveyors in the machine, a series of T-section bars at intervals in the conveyors, each said bar sustaining a row of attached carriers with removable forms; and opposed angle-section tracks, with which said bars cooperate, configured to effect lateral progression of successive rows of form carriers from clothing posi. on, into and through the drying enclosure over a vertically undulate course, said tracks having indentations to forwardly incline the forms at stripping location, and opposed irregulalily-configured parts to reverse inclination of the forms during retrogressiou back to reclothing position.

7. A drying machine including a drying enclosure, intermittently progressed conveyors transporting a series of rows of form carriers tlnn-ethrough, guidcways configured to effect lateral progression of successive rows of form carriers from clothing position, into and through the drying enclosure over a vertically undulated course with provision for forward inclination at the stripping location, and retrogression back to reclothing position with a. reversed inclination, and opposed interruptions and indents in said guidevays at the stripping location etl'ective to swing each advancing row of forms downwardly for strippingand into a reverse direction for retrogression to reclothing position.

8. A drying machine embodying a drying zone, intermittently progressed conveyors in the machine adapted to transport rows of aligned form-carriers with removable forms therethrough, each said row of formcarriers being removably attached on a T- section bar afforded pivotal connection between the conveyors, and associated sinuous guide rails cooperative with said bars to maintain the rows of forms in vertical position during progression through the drying zone of the machine.

9. A drying machine embodying a drying zone, intermittently progressed conveyors in the machine adapted to transport rows of aligned form-carriers with removable forms thcretln'ough, said rows of form-carriers being mounted on T-section cross bars having suspension -1neans pivotally connected between the conveyors, and anti-friction rollers on said suspension means co-operative with angle-section track-ways to maintain the successive rows of forms in verticallyparallel planes during progression through the drying zone of said machine.

10. In a drying machine including an enclosure and spaced endless conveyors transporting rows of aligned formca'rriers therethrough, the combination of automatically actuated finger mechanism operative to support and stabilize each successive row of form-carriers at the feeding-in end of the machine.

11. In a drying machine including an enclosure and spaced endless conveyors transporting rows of aligned form-carrying bars therethrough, the combination of freely pivoted relatively-angled finger mechanism operative to support and stabilize. said formcarrying bars at the feeding-in end of the machine.

12. In a drying machine including an enclosure and spaced endless conveyors for transporting rows of aligned form-carrying bars therethrough, the combination of 1nechanism comprising spaced radially-directed fingers mounted on a common axis freely journaled at the front of the machine, one of said fingers being adapted to support and the others to stabilize successive form carrying bars during the clothing period.

13. In a drying machine including an enclosure and spaced endless conveyors for transporting rows of aligned form-carrying bars therethrough, the combination of three equally spaced radially directed fingers mounted on a common axis, the outer pair functioning to swing the intermediate one into supporting position below successive form-carrying bars as well as to stabilize said bars during the clothing period.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto signed our names at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 8th day of May, 1924:.

THOMAS ALLSOP. HARRY H. IVIGGLESWORTH. 

